Tartarus
A primordial deity personifying the deep abyss below Hades, one of the first beings to emerge from Chaos.
The Myth of Tartarus
Tartarus was both a primordial deity and a physical place — the deep abyss below even the underworld, as far below Hades as the earth is below heaven. As a deity, Tartarus emerged from Chaos at the beginning of the world and with Gaia fathered the monster Typhon, the most dangerous creature ever to challenge Zeus. The place Tartarus was used as the prison for the Titans after their defeat, and it was here that the worst criminals among the dead were sent for eternal punishment — Sisyphus, Tantalus, Ixion, and the Danaids. Hesiod says a bronze anvil dropped from heaven would fall nine days before reaching earth, and nine more days to reach Tartarus.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
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Tartarus
🌀 primordialThe deepest abyss beneath the earth
Tartarus was both a primordial deity and the deepest pit of the cosmos — as far below Hades as earth is below heaven, the prison of the Titans and place of ultimate punishment.
Pontos
🏔 titanthe deep sea
A primordial sea deity, the personification of the deep sea itself, born from Gaia without a mate.
Ourea
🏔 titanmountains
The primordial gods of mountains, born directly from Gaia as personifications of individual peaks.
Erebus
🌀 primordialPrimordial darkness
Erebus was the personification of deep darkness, born from Chaos — his name became the word for the dark region of the underworld through which the dead pass.
Nox
🏔 titannight (Roman equivalent)
The Roman equivalent of Nyx, primordial goddess of night, mother of darkness and light alike.
Oizys
🏔 titanmisery, woe, suffering
The primordial goddess of misery, distress, and suffering, daughter of Nyx.
Tartarus
🏛 placeThe deepest pit of the underworld
The deepest abyss beneath the earth, as far below Hades as heaven is above earth. Tartarus was the prison of the Titans and the ultimate place of punishment.
Golden Age
🏔 titanParadise, Primordial Innocence
The mythical era of peace and plenty under Cronus's rule, before Zeus and the Olympians brought the current order of toil and mortality.
Tethys
🏔 titanTitaness of the primal ocean
The great Titaness of the sea who nursed Hera and whose union with Oceanus produced all the world's rivers and springs.
Phorcys
🏔 titanSea Dangers, Hidden Depths
An ancient sea god of the deep's hidden perils, father of many of Greek mythology's most famous monsters including the Gorgons and the Graeae.
Atlas
🏔 titanTitan condemned to hold the sky
The Titan condemned to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders at the western edge of the world for eternity.
Perses
🏔 titanTitan of destruction
Perses was the Titan of destruction and ravaging — father of Hecate, the great goddess of crossroads and magic.